"12
Years a Slave" and "Dallas
Buyers Club," both shot in New Orleans, were among the films earning honors
Tuesday (Dec. 3) as the New York Film Critics Circle announced its 2013 award
winners. "12 Years" director Steve McQueen was named best director, and "Dallas
Buyers Club" actor Jared Leto was named best supporting actor.

The biggest surprise, however, was in the group's pick for
best picture, which went to director David O. Russell's fictionalized Abscam
drama "American Hustle." Russell's film, which features a cast that includes
Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams, bested such
early award-season favorites as "12 Years a Slave" and "Gravity" for the
honor.

In fact, "Gravity" was one of several presumed Oscar contenders
that was snubbed entirely by the 38-member group of journalists. Also left out
were such critical favorites as "Captain
Phillips," "The
Butler" and "August: Osage County."

Rounding out the group's top awards were Robert Redford,
whose performance in "All is Lost" earned him the best-actor award; and Cate
Blanchett, named best actress for her performance in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine."
Last year's best-actress Oscar winner, Jennifer Lawrence, was named best
supporting actor for her performance in "American Hustle."

Although the New York Film Critics Circle -- which doesn't
announce runners-up -- is among the first of the nation's critics groups to
announce its awards, it doesn't necessarily serve as an infallible Oscar
predictor. At the same time, it could mark the first of any number of award season
trends that will be clearer as other critics groups and industry guilds
announce their year-end awards over the next several weeks.

The group will hand out its awards in a ceremony scheduled
for Jan. 6. The full list of its 2013 winners follows:

Best picture:
"American Hustle," directed by David O. Russell.

Best director:
Steve McQueen, for "12 Years a Slave"

Best actor:
Robert Redford, for "All is Lost."

Best actress:
Cate Blanchett, for "Blue Jasmine."

Best supporting actor:
Jared Leto, for "Dallas Buyers Club."

Best supporting
actress: Jennifer Lawrence, for "American Hustle."

Best non-fiction film:
"Stories We Tell," directed by Sarah Polley.

Best cinematography:
Bruno Delbonnel, for "Inside Llewyn Davis."

Best animated film:
"The Wind Rises," directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Best foreign-language
film: "Blue is the Warmest Color" (France).

Best screenplay:
"American Hustle," for Eric Singer and David O. Russell.

Best first film:
"Fruitvale Station," directed by Ryan Coogler.

Special prize:
Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, for his body of work.